Citation, commencement, transition and interpretation

1.  (1)  These Rules may be cited as the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Rules 2014.

(2) These Rules come into force on 6th April 2014 but have no effect in relation to any election in respect of which the date of the poll specified in the notice of election is on or before 21st May 2014.

(3) In these Rules "the 2006 Rules" means the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006(3).

(4) In these Rules, unless otherwise stated, any reference to a numbered rule or Schedule is a reference to the rule or Schedule bearing that number in the 2006 Rules.

Amendment of the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006

2.  (1)  Rule 2 (interpretation) is amended as follows.

(2) Wherever it appears, for "Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2001(4)" substitute "Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012(5)".

(3) In the definition of "mayoral election" for "Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2002(6)" substitute "Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007(7)".

3.  (1)  Schedule 2 (Rules for Conduct of an Election of Councillors of a Parish or Community where Poll is not taken together with Poll at another Election) is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 1 (timetable), in the column of the table headed "Time"-

(a)for the entry opposite "Delivery of nomination papers" substitute "Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the nineteenth day before the day of election";

(b)for the entry opposite "Publication of statement as to persons nominated" substitute "Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the eighteenth day before the day of election"; and

(c)for the entry opposite "Delivery of notices of withdrawal of candidature" substitute "Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the nineteenth day before the day of election".

(3) In rule 7 (consent to nomination) for paragraph (b) substitute-

"(b)is in the appropriate form in the Appendix or a form to the like effect and includes-

(i)for a nomination in England, a copy of sections 80 and 81 of the Local Government Act 1972(8), section 78A of the Local Government Act 2000(9) and section 34 of the Localism Act 2011(10); or

(ii)for a nomination in Wales, a copy of sections 80 and 81 of the Local Government Act 1972 and sections 78A and 79 of the Local Government Act 2000(11)."

(4) For rule 26(8) (equipment of polling stations) substitute-

"(8) In every compartment of every polling station there must be exhibited the notice:

• "[Vote for NO MORE THAN … CANDIDATES by putting a cross [X] in the box next to EACH of your choices.]

• [Vote ONLY ONCE by putting a cross [X] in the box next to your choice.]

• PUT NO OTHER MARK ON THE BALLOT PAPER OR YOUR VOTE MAY NOT COUNT.""

(5) In rule 28 (notification of requirement of secrecy), make the existing provision paragraph (1) and after that paragraph insert-

"(2) In this rule, a reference to a constable includes a person designated as a community support officer under section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002(12) (police powers for employees)."

(6) In rule 30 (admission to the polling station), after paragraph (5) insert -

"(6) In this rule, a reference to a constable includes a person designated as a community support officer under section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (police powers for employees)."

(7) In rule 35 (voting procedure), after paragraph (5), insert-

"(6) A voter who at the close of the poll is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purposes of voting shall (despite the close of the poll) be entitled to apply for a ballot paper under paragraph (1); and these rules apply in relation to such a voter accordingly."

(8) In rule 45 (the count) after paragraph (4) insert-

"(4A) A postal ballot paper or postal voting statement that reaches the returning officer or a polling station on or after the close of the poll is treated for the purposes of this rule as reaching that officer or polling station before the close of the poll if it is delivered by a person who, at the close of the poll, is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purpose of returning it."

(9) In the Appendix of Forms, in the "Form of Candidate's Consent to Nomination", for the words from "I declare that to the best of my knowledge" to "within the meaning of that Part", substitute-

"*For a nomination in England:

I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief I am not disqualified for being elected by reason of any disqualification set out in, or decision made under, section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972, section 78A of the Local Government Act 2000 or section 34 of the Localism Act 2011 (copies of which are printed overleaf), and I do not hold a politically restricted post, within the meaning of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, under a local authority, within the meaning of that Part.

*For a nomination in Wales:

I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief I am not disqualified for being elected by reason of any disqualification set out in, or decision made under, section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972 or section 78A or 79 of the Local Government Act 2000 (copies of which are printed overleaf), and I do not hold a politically restricted post, within the meaning of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, under a local authority, within the meaning of that Part.

*Delete whichever is inappropriate.".

(10) In the Appendix of Forms, for the following forms substitute the corresponding forms in Schedule 1 to these Rules-

(a)Form of Front of Ballot Paper;

(b)Form of Back of Ballot Paper;

(c)Directions as to Printing the Ballot Paper;

(d)Form of Postal Voting Statement;

(e)Official Poll Card (to be sent to an elector voting in person);

(f)Official Postal Poll Card (to be sent to an elector voting by post);

(g)Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person);

(h)Official Proxy Postal Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post);

(i)Form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting;

(j)Form of Certificate of Employment; and

(k)Form of declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities.

4.  (1)  Schedule 3 (Rules for Conduct of an Election of Councillors of a Parish or Community where the Poll is taken together with the Poll at a Relevant Election or Referendum) is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 1 (timetable), in the column of the table headed "Time"-

(a)for the entry opposite "Delivery of nomination papers" substitute "Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the nineteenth day before the day of election";

(b)for the entry opposite "Publication of statement as to persons nominated" substitute "Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the eighteenth day before the day of election"; and

(c)for the entry opposite "Delivery of notices of withdrawal of candidature" substitute "Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the nineteenth day before the day of election".

(3) In rule 7 (consent to nomination) for paragraph (b) substitute-

"(b)is in the appropriate form in the Appendix or a form to the like effect and includes-

(i)for a nomination in England, a copy of sections 80 and 81 of the Local Government Act 1972, section 78A of the Local Government Act 2000 and section 34 of the Localism Act 2011; or

(ii)for a nomination in Wales, a copy of sections 80 and 81 of the Local Government Act 1972 and sections 78A and 79 of the Local Government Act 2000."

(4) For rule 26(10) (equipment of polling stations) substitute-

"(10) In every compartment of every polling station there must be exhibited the notice-

• *PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

• ([Specify colour] ballot paper)

• Vote for ONLY ONE CANDIDATE by putting a cross [X] in the box next to your choice.

• *EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

• ([Specify colour] ballot paper)

• Vote ONLY ONCE by putting a cross [X] in the box next to your choice.

• *[Specify name of council] COUNCIL ELECTION

• ([Specify colour] ballot paper)

• *[Vote for NO MORE THAN … CANDIDATES by putting a cross [X] in the box next to EACH of your choices.]

• *[Vote ONLY ONCE by putting a cross [X] in the box next to your choice.]

• *ELECTION OF THE MAYOR OF LONDON

• ([Specify colour] ballot paper)

• #On the ballot paper for the election of the Mayor, vote ONCE for your first choice and ONCE for your second choice.

• *ELECTION OF THE LONDON ASSEMBLY

• #On the constituency members ballot paper ([specify colour]) vote for ONE candidate only.

• #On the London members ballot paper ([specify colour]) vote for ONE party or individual candidate only.

• *[Specify other] ELECTION/REFERENDUM

• ([Specify colour] ballot paper)

• [Specify voting instructions in accordance with the legislation governing the election or referendum]

• PUT NO OTHER MARK ON THE BALLOT PAPER OR YOUR VOTE MAY NOT COUNT.

• *[PLEASE DO NOT FOLD THE BALLOT PAPERS FOR [specify the election(s) and/or referendum(s) at which the votes are to be counted electronically]. Post them, face downwards, in the [*appropriate] ballot box.]

• *Complete or omit as necessary.

• Alternatively, insert such information as the GLRO may decide.""

(5) In rule 28 (notification of requirement of secrecy), make the existing provision paragraph (1) and after that paragraph insert-

"(2) In this rule, a reference to a constable includes a person designated as a community support officer under section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (police powers for employees)."

(6) In rule 30 (admission to polling station), after paragraph (5) insert-

"(6) In this rule, a reference to a constable includes a person designated as a community support officer under section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (police powers for employees)."

(7) In rule 35 (voting procedure), after paragraph (6) insert-

"(7) A voter who at the close of the poll is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purposes of voting shall (despite the close of the poll) be entitled to apply for a ballot paper under paragraph (1); and these rules apply in relation to such a voter accordingly."

(8) In rule 45 (the count)-

(a)in paragraph (4)(b) for "sections 44 and 105 or 45 and 105" substitute "section 9HE, 9MG, 44 or 45, whether or not in addition to 105"; and

(b)after paragraph (6) insert-

"(6A) A postal ballot paper or postal voting statement that reaches the returning officer or a polling station on or after the close of the poll is treated for the purposes of this rule as reaching that officer or polling station before the close of the poll if it is delivered by a person who, at the close of the poll, is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purpose of returning it."

(9) In the Appendix of Forms, in the "Form of Candidate's Consent to Nomination", for the words from "I declare that to the best of my knowledge" to "within the meaning of that Part", substitute-

"*For a nomination in England:

I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief I am not disqualified for being elected by reason of any disqualification set out in, or decision made under, section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972, section 78A of the Local Government Act 2000 or section 34 of the Localism Act 2011 (copies of which are printed overleaf), and I do not hold a politically restricted post, within the meaning of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, under a local authority, within the meaning of that Part.

*For a nomination in Wales:

I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief I am not disqualified for being elected by reason of any disqualification set out in, or decision made under, section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972 or section 78A or 79 of the Local Government Act 2000 (copies of which are printed overleaf), and I do not hold a politically restricted post, within the meaning of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, under a local authority, within the meaning of that Part.

*Delete whichever is inappropriate."

(10) In the Appendix of Forms, for the following forms substitute the corresponding forms in Schedule 2 to these Rules-

(a)Form of Front of Ballot Paper;

(b)Form of Back of Ballot Paper;

(c)Directions as to Printing the Ballot Paper;

(d)Form of Postal Voting Statement (for use where there is joint issue and receipt of postal ballot papers);

(e)Form of Postal Voting Statement (for use when a local government poll is combined with another poll but the postal ballot papers are not combined);

(f)Official Poll Card (to be sent to an elector voting in person);

(g)Official Postal Poll Card (to be sent to an elector voting by post);

(h)Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person);

(i)Official Proxy Postal Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post);

(j)Form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting;

(k)Form of Certificate of Employment; and

(l)Form of Declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities.

Rule 3(10)

SCHEDULE 1Amended forms for use at an election of councillors of a parish or community where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

Form of front of ballot paper

Form of back of ballot paper

Form of postal voting statementFront of statement

Back of statement

Official poll card (to be sent to an elector voting in person)Front of card

Back of card

Official postal poll card (to be sent to an elector voting by post)Front of card

Back of card

Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)Front of card

Back of card

Official proxy postal poll cardFront of card

Back of card

Form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting

Form of Certificate of employment

Form of Declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilitiesFront of declaration

Back of declaration

Rule 4(10)

SCHEDULE 2Amended forms for use at an election of councillors of a parish or community where the poll is taken together with a relevant election or referendum

Form 3 Ballot paper (two candidates)Front of ballot paper

Back of ballot paper

Form of Postal voting statement (for use when there is a joint issue and receipt of postal ballot papers)Front of statement

Back of statement

Form of postal voting statement (for use when a local government poll is combined with another poll but the postal ballot papers are not combined)Front of statement

Back of statement

Official poll card (to be sent to an elector voting in person)Front of card

Back of card

Official postal poll card (to be sent to an elector voting by post)Front of card

Back of card

Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)Front of card

Back of card

Official proxy postal poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post)Front of card

Back of card

Form of Directions for the guidance of the voters in voting

Form of Certificate of employment

Form of Declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilitiesFront of declaration

Back of declaration

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules make changes to the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006 (S.I. 2006/3305) (the "2006 Rules").

Rule 2 updates the interpretation rule in the 2006 Rules. Rules 3 and 4 amend Schedules 2 (rules for the conduct of an election of councillors) and 3 (rules for the conduct of an election of councillors where the poll is combined with another election or referendum) to the 2006 Rules.

Rules 3(2) and 4(2) amend Schedules 2 and 3 to the 2006 Rules to change the deadline for candidates to withdraw at parish and community elections. Rules 3(4) and 4(4) modify rules 26(8) and 26(10) in Schedules 2 and 3 to the 2006 Rules which set out guidance for voters.

Rules 3(5) and (6) and 4(5) and (6) make changes to rules 28 and 30 of Schedules 2 and 3 to the 2006 Rules to provide that certain references to police constables in those rules include references to community support officers. This ensures that the changes made by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c.6) to the equivalent parliamentary elections rules in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) are reflected for parish and community elections.

Rules 3(7) and (8) and 4(7) and (8)(b) make changes to Schedules 2 and 3 to the 2006 Rules to reflect the changes made to parliamentary elections rules by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (Commencement No.4 and Consequential Provision) Order 2014 to allow voters queuing at a polling station at the close of the poll (10pm on polling day) to be issued with ballot papers and vote, or to return postal ballot papers and postal voting statements. Rule 4(8)(a) makes a consequential change to the 2006 Rules, updating statutory references to reflect modifications made to the Local Government Act 2000 by the Localism Act 2011.

Rules 3(3) and (9) and 4(3) and (9) make amendments to rules 7 (consent to nomination) and the corresponding forms (Form of Candidate's Consent to Nomination) in Schedules 2 and 3 to the 2006 Rules, to update references to legislation governing disqualification.

Rules 3(10) and 4(10) and Schedules 1 and 2 replace certain forms in the Appendices to Schedules 2 and 3 to the 2006 Rules.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument because no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen other than that set out in the impact assessments which relate to Part 2 of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.